Advantages of owning a company in the Bahamas
Published 15 October 2026 · 2 min read
A Bahamas company combines a zero-income-tax regime with an English-based legal system, a currency pegged to the US dollar, and a location in the same time zone as New York.
1. A simple tax position
The Bahamas has no corporate income tax, no capital gains tax and no personal income tax. Government revenue comes mainly from VAT, customs duties, stamp duty and licence fees.
2. A familiar legal system
Bahamian law is based on English common law. Contracts, company law and trusts work in ways lawyers in the UK, US and Commonwealth recognise.
3. Dollar-friendly
The Bahamian dollar is pegged one-to-one to the US dollar, and US dollars are generally accepted in The Bahamas. Companies doing business outside The Bahamas can hold accounts in US dollars and other currencies.
4. Close to North America
Nassau is a short flight from Miami, and the islands share Eastern Time with New York, Toronto and Washington. For clients and partners in the Americas, calls and visits are easy to arrange.
5. A cleaner reputation than many expect
The Bahamas left the FATF list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring in December 2020, and the European Union removed it from its list of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions in February 2024. It exchanges financial account information with other countries under the OECD’s Common Reporting Standard. These are signals banks and partners look for.
FAQ
Is it legal to own a Bahamas company if I live elsewhere? Yes. Owning a foreign company is legal in most countries.
Is The Bahamas on any blacklist? The Bahamas is currently not on the FATF grey or black lists, and not on the EU’s list of non-cooperative jurisdictions.
Do I need to live in The Bahamas to own a company there? No. Directors and shareholders can live anywhere, unless the company carries on an activity that falls under the substance rules.
Weighing up The Bahamas for your company? Talk to Corallium about setting up a credible local presence.
This article is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Confirm current requirements with a licensed professional before acting.